Means for manufacturing bricks and the like



Deg. 31, 1940..

F. .1. CANNON 2,226,966

MEANS FOR MANUFACTURING BRICKS AND THE LIKE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March11, .1939

Dec. 31, 1940. F. J. cANNoN 2,226,966

MEANS FOR MANUFACTURING BRICKS AND THE LIKE Filed March 11, 1939 3Sheets-Sheet 2 gimme/r1104; fiulzcis' JUan 72 0 72 Dec. 31, 1940.

F. J. CANNON MEANS FOR MANUFACTURING BRICKS AND THE LIKE Filed March 11,1939 5 Sheets-Sheet I) Zarznorz Patented Dec. 31, 1940 UNITED STATESMEANS FOR MANUFACTURING BRICKS AND THE LIKE Francis J Cannon, Highland,N. Y.

Application March 11, 1939, Serial No. 261,321

. 10 Claims.

This invention relates to the manufacture of bricks and kindred buildingblocks, and it is an object of the invention to provide means wherebybricks or blocks can be produced in large numbers in a relatively shortperiod of time and with a minimum of labor.

It is also an object of the invention to provide means for producingbricks or kindred building blocks from a cementitious material wherein apredetermined amount of such material is placed Within a vehicle bodyand after which a brick or block molding apparatus is placed from aboveupon such material within the body, said molding apparatus being so constructed and arranged to provide means for removing the molded bricks orblocks from the vehicle body and delivering the same to a desiredlocation for curing.

A particular object of the invention is to provide means formanufacturing bricks and kindred building blocks in quantities and in amanner whereby is eliminated the necessity of manual handling of thebricks or blocks or the material from which said bricks or blocks aremolded.

Another object of the invention is to provide a means for manufacturingbricks or the like including a vehicle to initially receive apredetermined amount of the material to be molded together with amolding apparatus to be placed upon the vehicle body above the materialtherein and wherein means are provided for forcing from below thematerial within the vehicle body within the mold.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in thecombination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved meansfor manufacturing bricks and the like whereby certain importantadvantages are attained and the device rendered simpler, less expensiveand otherwise more convenient and advantageous for use, as will behereinafter more fully set forth.

The novel features of my invention will hereinafter be definitelyclaimed.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, I will nowproceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, wherein- Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view in top planillustrating a plan or means for manufacturing brick and kindredbuilding blocks constructed in accordance with an embodiment of myinvention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view in top plan of the vehicle bodyas herein comprised together with the molding apparatus in position forplacement upon the vehicle body;

Figure 3 is a View in end elevation of the assembly as illustrated inFigure 1, the overhead track and carriage riding thereon being omitted;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantiallyon the line 4-4 of Figure 2 with the molding apparatus in appliedposition upon the vehicle body;

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantiallyon the line 5--5 of Figure 2 with certain of the parts in end elevation;

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional View taken substantiallyon the line 66 of Figure 2; v

Figure 7 is a detailed sectional view taken sub-' stantially on the linel'i of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a diagrammatic View in side elevation of a material feedinghopper and associated mixer;

Figure 9 is a diagrammatic View in top plan of the means as hereindisclosed for'operating the locking means for holding the moldingapparatus upon the vehicle body;

Figure 10 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view illustrating amolded block as formed by the present embodiment of the invention, themolding apparatus being omitted;

Figure 11 is a transverse sectional view taken through Figure 10;

Figure 12 is a view in perspective of the brick or block constructed bythe embodiment of my invention as illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings.

As disclosed in the accompanying drawings, T denotes an endless trackwaydisposed as preferred and which has a straight portion I of de siredlength which underlies a suitably supported overhead trackway 2 leadingto suitable localities whereby the molded bricks or blocks may bedeposited for curing, as will hereinafter be more particularly referredto.

The trackway T extends beneath a suitably positioned hopper H of desiredcapacity and in which is discharged from the mixer M the material to bemolded. This material is cementitious to the desired ratio of sand andcement and which material has an amount of water mixed therewith to makethe mixture sufficiently damp to hold together under very lightpressure. The

hopper H and mixer M in their details of construction form no particularpart of the present invention and, therefore, a detailed description andillustration thereof are believed to be unnecessary other than to pointout, that the mixer M has depending therefrom a gauge blade for apurpose to be hereinafter more particularly referred to.

Travelling on the trackway T is a car C which, as herein disclosed,comprises the elongated side sills 3 resting from above upon andsuitably secured to the transversely disposed axles 4 positioned foreand aft of the car. carry the conventional flanged wheels 5 which rideupon the rails of the trackway. At predetermined points spaced along thesills 3 are the transversely disposed beams 6 to the extremities ofwhich are welded or otherwise securely anchored the upstanding bracketarms I. These arms I are riveted, as at a, or otherwise. securely fixedto the outer side walls 8 the extremities of which have interposedtherebetweenand suitably secured thereto the end walls 9; edges of thesewalls 8 and 9 areflush and are also preferably of metal and have theirinner faces highly polished.

Welded or otherwise securely anchored to the central portions of the.side sills 3 and bridging the space therebetween is an underslung tableor platform It]. This table to provides a mounting for the centrallyarranged upstanding hydraulic jack A. The plunger I of this jack movesin a Vertical direction and the upper end portion thereof carries arelatively large head plate I 2 which underlies and is rigidly securedby welding or otherwise to the bottom plate M for the body of the car Cas provided by the walls 8 and 9. The upper surface of this bottom platei4 is also highly polished and said plate is of such dimensions as tosnugly fit within the area defined by the walls 8 and 9. Each of theupper marginal portions of the plate I4 is formed therealong with arabbet i5 in which is fitted gaskets N5 of felt or other desiredmaterial for close contact with the inner face of the adjacent wall 8 or9. This is to prevent slippage of the material during the moldingoperation out between the bottom plate l4 and the adjacent walls 8 and9.

The jack A is of any preferred type and, as herein disclosed, hasassociated therewith a pump l1 the piston iii of which is actuated bythe pitman l9. This pitman I9 is operatively engaged with a crank 28carried by the inner end portion of a shaft 2|. As herein disclosed thisshaft 2! has one end portion rotatably supported,

as at 22, by the outer housing or shell 23 of the jack A with theopposite end portion of the shaft 2! rotatably supported by the bearing24 mounted upon one of the sills 3. This shaft 2| is of a length toextend outwardly beyond one of the side walls 8 and said outer endportion carries a hand wheel 25 whereby the shaft 2| can be readilyrotated when desired to effect an upward movement of the plunger II.

The pump I? also comprises the conventional release valve 26 which is.operated by a rock shaft 21 extending laterally and outwardly throughone of the side sills 3 and terminating in an operating lever 28. Whenit is desired to allow the plunger H or jack A with its load to drop, itis only necessary that the required turning movement be given to theshaft 21 as is well known in connection with hydraulic jacks.

A position of the bottom plate M with respect to the upper edges of thewalls 8 and 9 determines the depth of the cementitious material asdeposited within the car body from the hopper H. For example,'if it isdesired to make a four inch brick the car body must be filled for adepth of approximately six and one-quarter These axles 4 The upperinches with the mixed cementitious material. This depth, of course, isto be varied in accordance with the size of the brick or block to beproduced.

This depth of the material within the car body is measured from theupper face of the bottom plate I4 and the upper edges of the walls 8 and9. The gauge 1) associated with the hopper H as hereinbefore referred tois so placed as to ride on the upper edges of thesewalls 8 and 9 as thecar C passes under the hopper, thus assuring the top of the mixturewithin the car body being properly smoothed off.

The desired position ofthe bottom plate M is had by proper manipulationof the jack A and in order to readily determine the position of thebottom plate I4 within the car body, the bottom plate H3 at a sidemarginal portion thereof is provided with a depending arm 29 of desiredlength and the lower end portion of this arm carries a laterallyextended index or pointer 33. This index or pointer 38 cooperates withthe graduations 3! provided on the outer face of a vertically disposedgauge strip 32 herein disclosed as suitably secured to a side sill 3. Itis to be stated that if desired these graduations may have associatedtherewith suitable numerals whereby it can be readily determined whenthe bottom plate I4 is raised or lowered in accordance with the desiredinitial depth of the mixed material as deposited within the car bodyfrom the hopper.

When it is desired to produce bricks or blocks of a hollow type, such asillustrated in Figure 12 of the drawings, a plate 33 is placed over theplate l4 and suitably carried by this plate 33 are the upstanding cores3d. The plate 33 and cores 34 are preferably of metal and the upper faceof the plate 33 and the outer surfaces of the cores 39 leading from asuitable source of oil with the discharge of the oil from the nozzlebeing under control of the valve Ml. As the car C passes under thenozzle 39 the top face of the bottom plate It together with the innerfaces of. the walls 8 and 9 are provided with a coating of oil as willalso be the upper .face of the plate 33 and the outer surfaces of thecores 34 when used. This spraying of oil is done to minimize thetendency of the cemen'titious material after being molded to stick tosuch surfaces.

Travelling on the overhead track 2 is a conventional carriage 0 fromwhich depends a conventional chain hoist B which is adapted to bedetachably hooked, as at 38, to the central portion of a girder .r ofdesired length. The opposite end portions of this girder :c carry thetransversely disposed beams y equi-distantly extending as desired beyondopposite sides of the girder .r. The outer ends of the beams y areprovided with the depending hook members M with which are engaged theupper end portions of the coil springs 42 of desired tension. The lowerend portions of these springs 42 are hooked or otherwise connected tothe upper end portions of the upstanding hanger plates 43 rivetedorotherwi-se securely fastened to theend portions of the side members 44of the frame F. The frame F is adapted to rest from aboveupon the sidewalls 8 and 9 of the car body,'

Welded or otherwise rigidly secured to the outer face of each of theplates 43 is -a vertically disposed elongatedtubular member 45 open atits lower end and with said lower end substantially flush with the lowermargin of a side member 44 of the frame F. Slidably and snugly engagedwithin the member 45 is an elongated tubular locking bolt 46 adapted tobe extended below the lower end of the member 45 within a keeper -41:riveted or otherwise secured to the outer face of aside member 8 when,of course, the frame F has been lowered to rest upon the walls ormembers 8 or 9 of the car body. This bolt 46 is normally maintained withits lower end extended or projected beyond the lower end of the member45 by an expansible member 48 interposed between the closed end 49 ofthe member 46 and the top closed end of the member 45. Suitably securedto and depending from the top closed end of the member 45 are'theelongated rods '5l) of desired length and which are freely disposedthrough the closed end 49 of the bolt '46. The lower ends of these rods50 are provided with the enlargements or heads 5! which have contactfrom below with the closed end 49 of the bolt 45 whereby is limited theextent of outward movement of the bolt 46 with respect to the member 45.V

Pivotally supported within the bolt 45 by opposed walls thereof is arock shaft 52 shown in end elevation in Figure 4. This shaft 52 has acentral squared portion 53 providing a key for the rock arm 54 extendinglaterally of the bolt 46 and also for the upper end portion of aswinging latch arm 54. The lower end portion of this arm 54 is providedwith an outwardly and laterally directed lug 55, the lower face 56 ofwhich is downwardly and inwardly beveled while the upper face 51 of saidlug is substantially at right angles to v the arm 54. This lug is of alength to extend out through the opening 5] in the inner Wall of thelower portion of the bolt 46 in order to engage within a keeper pocket58 formed in the adjacent wall of the keeper 4! to provide means forlocking the frame F in position upon the car body. The lower end of thearm 54 or that extremity carrying the lug 55 is constantly urgedoutwardly by the leaf spring 59 interposed between the lower end portionof the arm 54 and an adjacent wall of the bolt 46.

Freely extending through the upper closed end of the member 45 and theupper closed end 49 of the bolt .46 is an elongated rod Bil the lowerend portion of which is operatively connected, as at 6 I, to the rockarm- 54. Upon upward movement of the rod 66 the arm 54 will be swunginwardly to bring the lug 55 entirely within the bolt 46 to allowremoval of the frame F or to offer no interference to the application.of the frame F with respect to the car body. 5

As the frame F is lowered to rest upon the members or walls 8 and 9 ofthe car body, the lower projected portion of each of the bolts 46 willenter a keeper 4'! and after such placement of the frame F each of therods 68 is moved downwardly a distance sufficient to allow theassociated lug 55 to enter a keeper pocket 58. As herein disclosed, theoperative connection between the rock arm 54 and the lower or insertedend of the rod 65 comouter or free end portion of the rock arm 54 andwhich is directed through a longitudinally disposed slot 63 provided inan arm 64 pivotally connected, as at 65, to the lower or inserted end ofthe rod 60.

The expansible member 48 hereinbefore referred to is herein disclosed ascomprising a coil spring surrounding the portion of the rod between theclosed end of the member 45 and the closed end '49 of the bolt 46.

To facilitate the locking and unlocking of the frame 'F with the carbody, it is of importance that means be provided to operate all of therods 60 in unison. As herein disclosed, there is mounted upon the upperclosed end ofeach of the members 45 a housing 66 thru which the rod 60is freely directed and the lower end of this housing 66 is formed toprovide a thrust bearing!" for a bevel-gear 68 threaded upon the rod 60.p

A pair of transversely aligned miter gears '68 at each end of the framemesh with the miter gears 65 carried by a transversely disposed shaft70. Each end portion of a shaft 10 is disposed within a housing 66 androtatably supported by'a wall thereof. Each of the gears 68 at one sideof the frame F also has in mesh therewith the miter gears H carried bythe shafts 12. These shafts T2 were longitudinal alignment and extendin-' wardly' one toward the other and their opposed end portions carrythe mitergears 13 which mesh with the interposed miter gear M. r Themiter gear '14 is adapted to be rotated by a hand wheel and inaccordance with the direction of rotation of the gear 14 the severalrods 6E3 will be caused to move in unison and in the same direction. Thegears "13 and 14 are also positioned within a suitable housing 16carried, as at Tl, by a platform 18 extending transversely of the frameF at its longitudinal center and at a desiredspoint thereabove.

Thg'housin'g 16 together with the housing GE-at the same side of theframe F provide mountings.

member '44 of the frame F. Each of these end plates .l'9 is of suchdimensionsas to position theplatform 18 at a desired height above theframe F..

prises a laterally directed pin 62 carried by the' Mounted upon theplatform 18 at substantially 18. The extremity ofthe shaft a2 carries ahand The pump 8 I wheel 84 for rotating the shaft 82. also hasassociated therewith a release shaft 85 having its outer end providedwith an operating crank'85'.

Mounted upon the upper end of the plunger 89 is a plate 86of desireddimensions and resting upon this plate 86 and directly above the plunger81! is an elongated I beam 81. The plate 86 is welded; or otherm'sesecured to the plunger 8i! while the beam 81 is welded or otherwisesecured to the plate.

Depending from the opposite end portion of the beam 81 are the posts :88welded or otherwisese cured thereto and these posts 88 have their lowerends welded or otherwise rigidly secured to the central portions of thetransversely disposed anv beams 89 which equi-distantly extend beyondthe opposite sides of the beam 81. Thesebeams 89 overlie and are weldedor otherwise rigidly se-- cured to a series of parallel beams 99equi-distantly spaced apart and which beams 99 are directed lengthwiseof the the frame F and are substantially co-extensive in lengththerewith. Securely fastened to the under surface of each of the beams99 and equi-distantly spaced therealong are the depending plungers 9Ieach of which has its lower portion slidably disposed through anupstanding bearing and guide sleeve 92 mounted upon the plate 93disposed transversely of the frame F and having each end portion restingupon the upper edge of a side member or wall 44 of the frame.

The interior of the frame is divided by the longitudinal plates 94 andthe transverse plates 95 into a plurality of molding chambers 96 of 20desired dimensions and in which a brick or block 91 is produced. Thereis a plunger 9| for each chamber 96 and said plunger extends thereinthrough the plate 93 as is particularly illustrated in Figure 4 of thedrawings. The inserted end portion of this plunger 9I carries a pistonor head 98 which snugly engages within its chamber 96. Each side face ofthis piston or head 98, as herein disclosed, is provided therealong witha groove or chamber 99 in which is seated a gasket I99 of felt or otherdesired material whereby close contact is assured with the inner facesof the walls of the molding chamber 96.

To further assure the proper mounting of each of the beams 89 the bracerods "II are provided. These brace rods I9I are welded or otherwisesecurely fastened to the end portions of the beams 99 and extendupwardly and inwardly and rigidly secured to an end portion of the beam81.

The thickness of the brick or block 91 to be molded within a chamber 96is dependent upon the position of the head or plunger 98 therein and byraising or lowering the beam 91 under control of the hydraulic jack Dthe desired adjustment of such head or piston 98 may be readilyaccomplished. In order that the position of the head or piston 98 withinits chamber 96 may be readily determined, the plate 86 has dependingtherefrom a gauge strip I92 provided on its outer face with thegraduations I 93. These graduations can be readily read in connectionwith the upper edge of the casing or shell I94 of the jack D and thusreadily disclose the position of the head or plunger 98 within thechamber 96. It is believed to be obviousthat as the beam 81 rises orlowers the heads 99 in all of the chambers 96 will be similarlyadjusted.

As disclosed in the present embodiment of my invention the plate 86 hasadjustably secured to diagonal corners thereof the elongated dependthecylinder I 96.

Before the frame F and the parts carried thereby are broughtintoposition to be lowered upon the car body, said frame F is caused to passbeneath the spray pipe II9 whereby oil may be applied thereon or moreparticularly the inner surfaces of the chambers 96.

After the frame F has been applied upon the car body, the lower edges ofthe plates 94 and 95' will be flush with the top edges of the walls 8and 9 of the car body and as the bottom plate I4 is forced upwardly bythe jack A, said material will be effectively compressed within thechambers 96.

The bottom plate I4, or the plate 33 when used, is raised tight againstthe lower margins of the plates 94 and 95. At this time it is to bestated that it is very important that the material as initially placedwithin the car body be loose and at proper depth to assure at leastfifteen tons pressure just as the bottom plate I4 or plate 33 contactsthe lower edges of the plates 94 and 95. To make a four inch brick thecar body should be filled to approximately six and one-quarter inchesdeep.

After the material has been pressed within the chambers 96 the rod 21 isoperated to release the jack A and the hand wheel 15 operated to swingeach of the lugs 55 into release position and to raise each bolt 46until the lower end thereof is preferably substantially flush with thebottom edge of the adjacent side member 44 of the frame F. The chainhoist B is then operated to raise the frame F with its molded brick orblock and said frame with its load is transported by the carriage andtrackway 2 to a suitable point of delivery whereupon the frame F isdropped tothe desired receiving surface which may be a floor or a tierof previously delivered blocks or bricks. In the event the bolt 46 doesnot raise, as hereinbefore stated, to bring the lower end thereofsubstantially flush with the bottom edge of the adjacent side member 44,the spring 48 will permit such bolt 46 to move inwardly upon contact ofthe projected end of said bolt with the floor or other obstruction. Thejack D prevents the springs I99 ejecting the blocks during the movementof the frame F to the storage room. After the frame F has been loweredat the point of delivery or storage, the rod 85 is operated to releasethe jack D where-' upon the springs I99 hold the molded bricks or blocksto the storage surface as the frame F is initially raised through themedium of the chain hoist B. When the frame F has been raised a distanceapproximately one-half the thickness of a brick or block the springs I99will become ineffective. The frame F with the assembled plates 94 and 95is then entirely raised above the molded green bricks or blocks andreturned for a succeeding mounting upon a car body.

The heavy pressure on the bricks or blocks while being molded within thechambers 96 together with the recesses III is the only thing that keepsthe blocks or bricks within the chambers 96 when the frame is beingraised from a car and transported to the point of delivery. It is alsoto be stated that it takes about fifty pounds pressure per brick tostart them out.

It is believed to be obvious that While the frame F is being transportedto the point of delivery the car C is moved around the trackway I toagain be filled as desired.

While in the accompanying drawings I show but a single car C it is to bestated that any number desired may be used.

The jacks A and D are preferably of a high speed type.

The recesses III are to make the walls of the forms rough or if porousor sanded steel is used these recesses can be eliminated. It is to bestated that with the use of the recesses I1 I when the. forms :arenext,yusedmtherecesses1.|.l,l will fill up with cement and set hard,holding the bricks or blocks from falling out.

.Itris very important-thatnot too much pressure be imposed onthe greenbricks or blocks and it is also essential that the pistons 98 godownjust farxenoughto clear the bottom of the mold chambers 96one-thirty-second of an inch and left in that'position until passingthrough thewoil spray.-, The inside faces of the chambers 96 arenot'polished...

The spring I09 ,in each, of the cylinders I06 constitutes a startingspring. Within the lower portion ofthe. cylinder. I06 is, a sliding headH2 swivelled, to the inserted end of a shank H3 threadingup through theplatform 18. Interposed between this head H2 and the piston Ill! is acoil spring H4 of a tension to reduce, pressure on, the. bricks orblocks to not more than four or five pounds when the bricks. or blocksare about half way out of their chambers.

.It is'also to bestated that as the car C passes under the spray line139the valve 40 will be automatically opened, and as the car passes'beyondsaid spray line 39 said valve 40 will close. It is also preferred thatthe spray line H0 be automatically opened as the frame F andthe partscarried thereby pass thereunder and that said spray line be closed assuch frame passes therebeyond.

From the foregoing description it is thought to be obvious that a meansfor manufacturing brick or the like constructed in accordance with myinvention is particularly Well adapted for use by reason of theconvenience and facility with which it may be assembled and operated,and it will also be obvious that my invention is susceptible of somechange and modification without departing from the principles and spiritthereof and for this reason I do not wish to be understood as limitingmyself to the precise arrangement and formation of the several partsherein shown in carrying out my invention in practice except ashereinafter claimed.

I claim:

1. Means for manufacturing bricks or the like comprising a portable bodyhaving a Vertically movable bottom, means for forcing said bottomupwardly, said body being adapted to contain the material to be formedinto bricks or the like, a frame, means for raising and lowering theframe, said frame when lowered being adapted to rest upon the portablebody, releasable means for locking the frame to the body, said framebeing divided into a plurality of molding chambers, the upward movementof the bottom of the portable body lifting the material within the bodyand. compressing the same within the molding chambers of the frame.

2. Means for manufacturing bricks or the like comprising a portable bodyhaving a vertically movable bottom, means for forcing said bottomupwardly, said body being adapted to contain the material to be formedinto bricks or the like, a frame, means for raising and lowering theframe, said frame when lowered being adapted to rest upon the portablebody, releasable means for locking the frame to the body, said framebeing divided into a plurality of molding chambers, the. upward movementof the bottom of the portable body lifting the material within the bodyand compressing the same within the molding chambers of the frame, andmeans for indicating the position of the bottom within the body whenthebottorn is in lowered position to frame, said frame when loweredbeing adapted to.rest upon the portable body, releasable means.

for locking the frame to the body, said frame being divided into .aplurality of molding chambers, the;upwardfmovementof the bottom of theportable body lifting the material within the body and compressing thesame within the molding chambers of the frame, and an overhead carriagefrom which the frame is suspended.

4. Means for manufacturing bricks and the like comprising a portablebody having avertically movable bottom, said body being adapted,

to receive the material to'be molded into bricks or the like, a portableframe, means for raising and lowering said frame, said frame whenlowered being adapted to rest upon the portable bodyor upon adeliverysurface, means for looking the frame to the body, means for dividing theframe into a plurality of molding chambers, pistons within. said moldingchambers, means for moving said pistons in unison and in the samedirection, and means for lifting the bottom of the body with thematerial thereon to compress said material within the molding chambers.

5. Means for manufacturing bricks and the like comprising a portablebody havinga vertically movable bottom, said body being adapted toreceive the material to'be molded into bricks or the like,,a portableframe, means for raising and. lowering said frame, said frame whenlowered being adapted to restrupon the portable body or upon a deliverysurface, means for locking the frame to the body, means dividing theframe into a plurality of molding chambers, pistons within said moldingchambers, means for moving said pistons in unison and in the same,direction, means for lifting the bottom of the body with the materialthereon to compress said material within the molding chambers, and meansfor resisting the movement of the molded bricks upwardly with the frameupon in tial raising of the frame from the delivery surface.

6. Means for manufacturing bricks and the like comprising a body havinga vertically movable bottom, said body being adapted to receive thematerial to be molded, a frame, means for placing the frame upon thebody or removing the same therefrom, said frame being provided with aplurality of molding chambers, means for look.- ing the frame to thebody, and. means for lifting the bottom of the body with the materialthereon to compress such material within the molding chambers.

'7. Means for manufacturing bricks and the like comprising a body havinga vertically movable bottom, said body being adapted to receive thematerial to be molded, a frame, means for placing the frame upon thebodyor removing the same therefrom, said frame being provided with aplurality of molding chambers, means for locking the frame to the body,means for lifting the bottom of the body with the material thereon tocompress such material within the molding chambers, the means forlocking the frameto the body comprising keepers mounted upon the body,slidable tubular bolts carried by the frame, means for normallymaintaining. portions of the bolts projected below the frame to engagethe keepers of the body, latches within the bolts for holding engagementwith the keepers when the extended portions of the bolts are within thekeepers, and means for moving the latches in unison into releaseposition.

8. Means for manufacturing bricks and the like comprising a portablebody having a vertically movable bottom, means for lifting said bottom,a portable frame, means for raising and lowering said frame, said framebeing adapted to rest upon the body from above, said frame beingprovided with a plurality of molding chambers, and means for connectingthe frame to the body to resist the stress imposed thereon when thebottom is raised to compress the material within the molding chambers.

9. Means for manufacturing bricks and the like comprising a body havinga vertically movable bottom, means for raising said bottom, an elongatedbeam, a portable hanger for said beam including means for raising andlowering the beam, a frame, resilient means for supporting said framefrom the end portions of the beam, said frame "being provided with aplurality of molding chambers, said frame being adapted to rest upon thebody, and means for locking the frame to the body to resist stressthereon when the bottom of the body i's raised toicomprss'the "materialwithinthe body within the molding chambers of the frameL i 10. Means formanufacturing bricks and the like comprising a body having a Verticallymovraising or lowering the beam to adjust the po-;

.sition of the pistons within'the molding chambers and for holding thepistons in selected adjustment, and additional means interposed between-the platform and thebeam for effecting a partial projection of thebricks within the molding chambers upon upward movement of the framewhen the-means for adjusting and holding the pistons is ineffective.

FRANCIS J. CANNON.

